Inside Budapest’s Craft Beer Boom: Where to Find the Best Beer in Town

Budapest has entered an age of Renaissance when it comes to craft beer. From niche interest to latest craze, craft beer bars and the microbreweries that support them can be found popping up all over the city and beyond. Of course, not all bars are born equal, so we’re here to give you the lowdown on the coolest places with the best beers.

Csakajósör

Csakajósör – which literally means ‘only good beer’ – prides itself on selling only stuff that the owner himself would want to drink. Alongside the usual Pilsners, IPAs, and lagers, you’ll find all sorts of delicious red ales, dark beers as well as wheat beer and specialties including sour beers. While mostly a bottle shop, they do have six taps in-shop with a rotating selection of beers to try. Csakajósör has beers from all over the world, so it’s also a great place if you want to explore the international beer scene.

Photo: On the Grid

Hopaholic

With a real crafty name (see what we did there!), Hopaholic serves a delicious and ever-changing selection of Hungarian and import beers. Located in a rather cavernous ground floor space in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, they also serve some great beer snacks in case you stick around long enough to get hungry.

Photo: Hopaholic

Beerselection

‘Pick and drink’ is their motto – and that’s exactly what you’ll end up doing if you pay this place a visit. With a minimalist interior, there isn’t much to say about the decor, which is fine because it’s the beer we care about. On the shelves, you’ll find bottles of just about everything good from Hungary and abroad, available to drink there or to go if you prefer.

Photo: Beerselection

Krak’n Town

With a gorgeous steampunk-inspired interior, this place is worth a visit just to gawk at. Stay a while though and enjoy a beer in one of the comfy, styled booths – you won’t regret it. They have friendly staff – all dressed to impress – and the perfect range of local and international beers to try on 23 taps in total.

Photo: Krak’n Town

Neked Csak Dezső

Recently moved from one location to an even bigger one, this is another place that scores big points for it’s clean, industrial interior. Neked Csak Dezső is a buzzing bar, packed with expats and locals every day of the week. Like the other places on this list, the beer menu rotates on their 32 taps regularly (they currently have the most taps in Budapest), and the staff knows their stuff if you’re looking to experiment. And, you can pick what you want from bottles stack floor to ceiling against the wall, or from huge beer tanks that line behind the bar.

Photo: Kocsmaturista

Kuzin Bár

Boasting a bohemian atmosphere and a delicious street food-style menu, this place is the place to be if you want to be surrounded by fun, interesting people while you drink. And, as we’ve said with every other bar on this list, they serve wonderful beer – they wouldn’t be on here otherwise.

Photo: Kuzin Bár

FIRST Craft Beer & BBQ

Right in the middle of town, we’d visit this place as much for its funky interior and futuristic lighting as for it’s beer. They have beers on 19 taps and you can also choose from 200 different bottled beers. And if it wasn’t obvious from the name, this place also does great BBQ food – perfect for getting your thirst up between beers. FIRST Craft Beer is also the name of their brewery in Budapest’s 4th district where they offer brewery visits and you can also taste their own beers in the tap room. Get in touch with us if you want to visit the brewery!

Photo: FIRST Craft Beer & BBQ

Legfelsőbb Beeróság

A small and cozy cellar, this place makes up for any lacking in aesthetics with a superior range of on-tap beer and tasty street food. Being slightly out of the way, this place tends to remain a secret only to those who know where to look and, as such, is a great place to hang out with locals. You’ll find 10 taps at Legfelsőbb Beeróság along with 120 different bottled beers.

Photo: Legfelsőbb Beeróság

Ogre Bácsi Sörözője

A bar with history, this place has been serving craft beers under one name or another for years. It’s smaller than most other places on the list and could do with a little more sunlight, but where this place excels is selling Hungarian craft beers both on tap and bottled along with delicious artisan charcuterie platters. On their 10 taps, they usually have 7-8 different beers from Szent András Brewery and on the remaining 2-3 taps, they rotate the selection between other Hungarian breweries.

Photo: Ogre Bácsi

Polyhistor Pub

Finishing off the list is another cellar bar – their best beers are served underground we think – and one with a little more warmth than the last. Split across three levels, you’ll be spoilt for choice when looking for somewhere to chill with your brew. And, with a whopping 14 beers on tap, we’re sure you’ll find something you’ll like. Polyhistor Pub is also a great place if you want to enjoy Japanese culture and gastronomy!

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